In a word: curb appeal is all about facade. Curb appeal refers to how attractive your house looks to those who drive by.

Why is Curb Appeal Important?

An attractive exterior may make the difference between whether people become potential buyers or whether they drive right by without looking at your home’s appealing interior features. Curb appeal is like eye catching wrapping paper on a gift. First impressions are crucial to the real estate market. Nearly 65% of shoppers will come and check out a home they’ve driven by or looked at online if they liked what they saw.

Add baskets of flowers at several levels at the front door. Consider adding hanging baskets.

Buy an attractive welcome mat.

Update those tired, faded house numbers.

Paint the trim around your front door. Add matching molding.

Add a stylish door knocker.

Upgrade those porch light fixtures.

Add tile or stone to the entry or use faux tile with a concrete staining or stamping kit.

Edge your house with flower beds. A little color goes a long way.

Give your garage door an easy inexpensive upgrade by painting the aluminum with wood stain. Or paint it to match the front door. Add some carriage lights or a pergola to enhance the garage’s appearance. Plant fast-growing ivy on the pergola.

Power wash siding to give it a clean look. Don’t forget to do the decks, front steps and the entrance way exterior.

Like everything else, your patio requires maintenance and renovation. Here are some tips for sprucing up that patio.

For a new look, try etching on the surface of your patio. The first step is to give the patio floor a thorough scouring. Patch any cracks or holes. Next, mark the pattern on the concrete with a marker or chalk. Follow the markings with a circular saw. Paint etched design with latex or oil-based paint to make it stand out.

Give your deck a new personality by applying paint, dye, or stain to the existing wood, stone, or concrete surface.

Get a facelift for your deck by using it as a substrate to support tiles, bricks, slate, or other masonry. Seal edges. Apply a sealing coat and presto, a new floor.

Turn your patio into an intimate, cozy alcove by adding curtains. These made of sturdy denim or canvas will offer shade and a windbreak.

Build a structure over your patio and plant climbing vines to fill out this structure. This provides an aesthetically pleasing and sheltered space.

Shop for unusual chairs at garage sales or flea markets and paint them vibrant colors.

Create planters from found objects and plant easy-to-maintain plants on your patio.

Create interesting throw rugs or buy them at a store.

Find patio furniture at summer close out sales for next year. Look for sets with sufficient seating and table space to host a crowd.

Enjoy the patio at night by string decorative lights around it.

Plant perennials around the patio for decoration and to deter pests.

Repurpose white boards and/or chalkboards so kids can display their art work and you can use it as a message board.

Add a fence for interest, privacy and/or a windbreak. There are lots of options.

Add a shed or repurpose existing garden structures as part of your patio. These might be used for storage, an office space, a games center, or a haven from the noise of the rest of the house.​

Your patio can be a relaxing haven where you chill out after a long hard day at work. It can be a sheltered alcove where you enjoy a good book in solitude. Or it can be a place where you entertain in nice weather.

The outdoor pathways and walkways of your home don’t have to be boring or ugly, only getting you from one point to another. They can be a feature that adds aesthetic value and interest to your property, blending both form and function. Yes, you can be creative with walkways and pathways, and the results can be both beautiful and practical.

Knowing where to start with this endeavor, however, can be tough. Not only is there the design to think about, but also what materials should be used, and how it will integrate with the rest of your outdoor space. Here are a few ideas for some inspiration:

The gravel walkway. This is an easy way to bring character and easy maintenance to a natural feeling walkway or pathway. Add stone or wood edging for a more formal feel, or have varying widths with no borders, and create casual curves to incorporate all of the landscaping. Here is an idea from Houzz.com and some other examples from BHG.com.

The log look. This is a natural, rustic look that can also be visually pleasing to match your garden space. The log pathway can carry the natural feeling from the different spaces it buffers, and can be designed into any shape to fit the spaces. Here’s an example from Pinterest.

The mosaic design. Use small stones of varying colors to create a mosaic design that stands out for its aesthetic value. A curved design, like this one on Pinterest, can be pleasing to the eye and match the surrounding space, or a straight, edged version like these can create a more distinct walkway.

When it comes to home décor, turning your attention to a blog can be a great way to spark some creativity, gain some inspiration for your next project, or just follow some of the latest trends.

Maybe home décor and decorating is a hobby. Maybe you have a new home that you’re ready to make your own. Or perhaps you have a room badly in need of an update. Either way, there are many amazing home décor blogs that offer a wide range of inspiring ideas.

Here’s a list of 20 home décor blogs.

Nesting Place – A love affair with homes inspired a blog focused on decorating encouragement and creative ideas.

The Lettered Cottage – Layla and Kevin are expert stylists who produce articles for HGTV.com and shoot and style home interiors for home magazines.

Perfectly Imperfect – A blog about home renovations, painted furniture, tutorials, and plenty of decorating and home projects.

Centsational Girl – With a glamorous yet practical style, Kate creates home furniture from unlikely sources as well as unique crafts and projects.

Thrifty Décor Chick – This home décor and DIY blog is all about making beautiful items on a budget.

Dear Lillie – Check out the tutorials and the house tour in a blog that has been featured in several national home magazines.

Fieldstone Hill Design – Blogger and designer Darlene deconstructs rooms and shows you how to use their elements in your home.

Décor Chick! – A home décor and DIY blog that includes a little bit of everything about turning things into something beautiful.

Young House Love – Avid DIY-ers John and Sherry blog about home decorating solutions and transforming their own home.

The Peak of Chic – Blogger, author and designer Jennifer Boles is an expert in the world of home decoration.

The air is crisp, leaves are changing and autumn is finally upon us. Nothing kicks off this time of the year better than preparing your home with some seasonal home décor. Now we all know about the traditional methods of decorating during the fall months, whether it be with spooky Halloween decorations or traditional fall harvest accents to bring some of the bright colors displayed outside into your home. But what if you are looking to go a different route this year? Maybe the motif of your home doesn't exactly blend well with the typical autumn decorations. There are many ways to create a festive atmosphere in your home while still staying true to your style. Warm up your house with these beautiful and chic decorating projects that will incorporate your own unique take on autumn decor.

Glam PumpkinsPumpkins can be a mess to deal with this time of year. Forget carving, gutting, and scraping out your pumpkin and try glamorizing your pumpkins with these fun ideas. The best part is, the kids can still take part in these festive activities.

Rhinestone PumpkinsAnother great method of pumpkin design while adding a bit of flare is by making those pumpkins sparkle. This may also be the easiest method as far as clean up goes. See some great use of rhinestones and pumpkins of all sizes here:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/75013150017037981/

Fall LightingNothing makes your home feel cozy and warm quite like candlelight.Birch Candles give a fall look that you can carry on into the holidays. It provides a sophisticated yet rustic feel that can be used in many home decors. Here's a peek:http://www.pinterest.com/pin/3940718393534637/

Whether you are limited on space in your bathroom or elbow room is in abundance, there are plenty of clever tricks to make the most out of what you do have. Some of us spend a lot of time in our bathroom, and there’s no reason it can’t be functional, comfortable and still match your style.

There is no shortage of ideas, from storage to seating to technology, so here are 10 ideas to start:

Cabinet ideas Utilize extra wall space without much effort by installing an extra medicine cabinet or custom shelving unit in the wall between studs to boost storage. Add molding to match the character of your bathroom.

Door space Make the most of the space behind cabinet doors by installing a towel rack or small storage shelves. Or cut one shoe organizer in half and hang one on each side door, like this Pinterest example.

Rack it up Repurpose a coat rack in your bathroom as a towel rack. A vertical solution that can hold many towels at once. Take a seat If space isn’t an issue, create a comfy seating area with an ottoman or padded stool and side table, or [build a custom vanity http://pinterest.com/pin/72620612713731332/] between storage units for a defined space.

Slide and pull Install custom pullout shelves in vertical cabinets or [sliding drawers within cabinets under the counter to keep your accessories orderly and accessible while not taking up much space.

Borrow ideas Make use of the space above your toilet with traditional kitchen solutions. Install horizontal rods and hang baskets or small containers for your extra necessities like this Pinterest example.

Go vertical Think upwards! If you have a pedestal sink, place tall, slender cabinets on each side to maximize your space. Build a shelf over your door for items you don’t use all that often, or mount a flatscreen TV bracket on the wall near the ceiling to conserve counter space.

Flexible light If your bathroom has light sconces, replace them with movable arm lamps that will give you light exactly where you need it.

Bring the heat Towels take up a lot of space. Get them out of your cabinets and make better use of your space with a hydrotherm heated towel rack that doesn’t require any power.

When it comes to the design and style inside your home, no small detail should go unnoticed.

That’s the mindset for many homeowners. The beauty is in the small details, and every small element adds to the overall feel of your home, each a testament to your taste and style. If you have ever purchased a ceiling fan, you probably installed the pull that came out of the box without giving it much thought.

But if you like to give every detail some attention, there are many options of ceiling fan pulls that can add that little extra flair or personal touch and even be a conversation piece.

Make It FunAny trinket or toy can be adapted to hang at the end of the pull chain, and many of the best sellers online fall in this category, like animals, miniature sports items, airplanes, cars, sports team logos or figurines of movie characters. Many of the ideas you will find on Pinterest are fun items.

Make It Personal Sometimes an item that means something to you, one that you would like to see every day, could be used as a nice reminder each time you turn on your fan. Something like an old fashioned key a locket, an antique item from a previous home or a keepsake from a loved one could work – all you need is a little creativity.

Make It CleverWith one of these, you will never have to wonder again which chain is for your light, and which one is for the fan. There are many variations out there that offer a little assistance. A small nightlight is a clever item to help you find it in the dark.

Make it Artsy With a little creativity and some art products, just about anything could make a unique pull. Using beads, wine or champagne corks, key chains or even old jewelry could be an interesting twist. If you don’t own that artistic touch yourself, many company’s make pulls that seem one-of-a-kind, like these from Trace Elements.

As you can see, just about anything can be used to make your ceiling fan pull more decorative, fun, or just plain interesting. Many companies sell fan pulls, or a quick online search is sure to give you ideas if you would rather do it yourself.

How do you define what makes a good home environment? Do you find peace and comfort every time you walk through the front door? Do you feel inspired by each of the items in your home? Would you say that everything in your house in peaceful, calm and organized? If so, then you are already a master of Feng Shui. If not, this article will help you ensure that you can describe your home in this way.

Feng Shui, meaning "Wind and Water" in Chinese, is the ancient art of creating balance and harmony in our lives through the effective management of our environment. Because we are connected to our environment, our environment is a reflection of our lives. For example, if you change or move something in your home you will experience a corresponding change in your life. Using this principle, you can apply Feng Shui to get more of what you want and less of what you don't want. So if you want to feel less stressed or have more balance in your life, then you first need to set up a conducive environment for that to take place.

A major reason why you may not have a peaceful and organized home environment yet is clutter. It is important to free your home of anything that does not reflect the environment you want. A few good questions to ask yourself to help decide what is clutter and what is not are:

• Do I really love this item?• Does it enhance my life in any significant way?• How often do I use it?

The answers to these questions will tell you whether or not it is truly time to let something go. So clear the clutter, and pursue a life of harmony between yourself and your environment so that the energy surrounding you work with you rather than against you.

It wasn't all that long ago that the options for outdoor furniture pieces were limited, and many spent their leisure time at wood picnic tables and in rather uncomfortable chairs and loungers.

Thankfully, times have changed. Not only have patios, decks and courtyards become an extension of the home for many, there are more options for outdoor furniture than ever before. Outdoor furniture now comes in every material and color imaginable, with styles ranging from modern to classic, with new and innovative products always arriving. Not every piece empties your wallet, however, and there are numerous DIY options.

Here are seven ideas:

Day Beds and BenchesWhether you build them yourself or not, day beds and built-in benches can offer both space and comfort, as well as a place to stretch out. Plus, they create natural barriers and extra seating for guests. Better Homes and Gardens has some great examples.

Bring the FireIf you don't have an outdoor fireplace, create a communal space with a fire pit or feature that draws everyone together. Fire pits and features can range from simple and inexpensive to extravagant projects, and come in every shape and size. Here's a gallery of ideas from DIY Network.

Swing AwayFor an old-fashioned feel, swings are great for relaxing, can be hung anywhere and are a nice aesthetic. Get creative and hang a classic porch swing or day bed from a pergola, or even design an area with several swings around a fire pit like this example.

Party CoolersWhat better way to keep guests refreshed? From stainless steel to charming wood barrels and wrought iron tubs, there are many options that can match your décor and keep guests outside and relaxed.

Serving it UpServing carts are a simple idea that make hosting, serving and storage convenient. Use them for drinks, to serve food, store condiments or for anything that needs to be close by and mobile. Here is a top 10 list from Elle Décor.

Bring the LightOutdoor lighting and lamps can add the perfect ambiance to an outdoor space, and many options are inexpensive or DYI projects that will also bring personalized character. For ideas, check out these galleries at Curbly.com and Shelterness.com.

Think CustomA customized table – whether its reclaimed pieces, something restored or a piece you built yourself – can add just the right amount of charm and serve as a conversation piece. Use as old farm table, a reclaimed industrial cart or an old door and add a flower box or fire feature for flair. Get design ideas at Houzz.com.

While it's not likely your family or friends will feel too sorry for you, sometimes finding the right d残or for your oceanside or beach home can be a bit of a challenge.

Creating a casual, laid back and beach-inspired vibe to enhance the inside of your home is possible when you focus on elements like sunlight, white spaces, splashes of color and complementary accessories.

Open and airy paletteA light and bright color scheme with crisp whites and sand-colored tones accented by bursts of colors, such as turquoise or soft blues, can mirror the coastal feel indoors. The natural, subtle feel of the light hues offers a tranquil feel, while colors on accessories and artwork add layers of vibrant color that mimic the ocean.

Bring outside insideCreate a personalized beach feel by bringing the elements inside. Feature outdoor wood pieces and even wicker in place of traditional furniture. Use earthy items (such as logs or crates) instead of a coffee table, go for a cotton rug, and brighten up the room with naturally-growing local plants and flowers.

Add nautical accessoriesIncorporate beach-inspired artwork or create your own from gathered seashells, driftwood and other trinkets. Add a personalized touch with photographs from your coastline on feature walls or above a fireplace. Accessorize with nautical antiques like beach lanterns, lobster traps and ship compasses, and create a casual vibe with organic accent pieces such as weaved baskets, clear glass lamps and glass canisters with sand and shells from your beach.

See the lightNothing feels more like the beach than natural sunlight, and an emphasis on color and light will create a coastal feel. In kitchens, paint cabinetry white and choose window coverings that let in the maximum amount of light, such as light-colored linens. Keep floors a light and warm color, and utilize accent mirrors to reflect the natural light. In seating rooms, feature the windows and light (instead of concealing it) and let the scenery become your artworkﾑ-arranging the room to face the widows to maximize your view.